Fury of the Seven Seas

International Talk Like a Pirate Day falls on 19 September, and it’s always a fun day to theme images around pirates and their ideals. I did not get to have a pirate-themed picture last year, so I had to make it up with a grand image this year. I have accompanied it with a small story that parallels his afterschool soccer training and dreams to become famous one day.

River leaps down from the swinging ropes of a battered ship. Cannonballs batter the wooden rails and bullets spray holes into the sails as he wields his dual sabers in the midst of a raging battle. He is putting it all on the line. His life, his reputation and his principles.

The countless hours using his swords have made them feel like extensions of his arms. Each swing and strike is a muscle memory of yesterday's practice, the day before that, and the day before that! When he charges across the deck fueled with adrenaline, River fights for the present- his family, his friends, his ideals. And for his future- the treasures, the glory, the dreams.